The Ogun State High Court on Wednesday dismissed an application by Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the 2023
Presiding Judge, Justice T.A. Okunsokan, dismissed the application for lack of merit and directed the prosecution to proceed with its case. The trial has been adjourned to January 29th and 30th, 2026.
Adebutu and his co-defendants are facing charges filed by the Federal Government, alleging their involvement in massive vote-buying across Ogun State during the 2023 general election, an offence under the Electoral Act 2022.
During the hearing, Adebutu’s lawyer, Muyiwa Obanesa, Esq., had argued that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) lacked the legal authority to institute the case. The defence also contended that the charge amounted to double jeopardy for the defendants.
However, the prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, opposed the application. In its ruling, the court held that sections 144 and 145 of the Electoral Act cannot override the powers granted to the AGF under section 174 of the Nigerian Constitution, affirming the AGF’s right to prosecute the case.
Furthermore, the court, citing Section 245(1) of the Ogun State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, ruled that the doctrine of double jeopardy did not apply in this instance.
With the preliminary objections dismissed, the case will now proceed to a full trial, where the prosecution will present its evidence against the defendants.
